Dan Panes, spokesman for Great Western Railway, told the BBC: “We’ve had to put a speed restriction across most of the Great Western network and that means we’re not able to run as many services, and those services which we can run are likely to take longer than normal and they’re likely to really really busy.

“The advice at the moment is to only travel if absolutely necessary and check your journey before travelling.

“People who have tickets for today can travel all the way through to Monday on those tickets.

“Services [in the South East] are running but are likely to reduce in frequency, they are going to be busier and it’s likely to take longer to get to where you need to go.”

All mainline rail routes in Kent are being closed, according to SouthEastern.

Two trees on the line have been reported: One at New Hythe on the Medway Valley Line, the other’s at Bearsted on the Maidstone East line.

The advice being given to all passengers is not to travel.

Lucinda Adam
BBC South East Today reporter

We might be still be in the calm before the storm in central Brighton.

It's breezy but dry and sunny.

The sea is rough but many people are still walking their dogs along the seafront.

The coastguard is patrolling the promenade. Some people even stopped to talk selfies on a groyne against safety advice.

Image source, Eddie Mitchell

Stuart Maisner
BBC Live reporter

Two trees have fallen blocking rail lines in Surrey in two separate incidents, according to Network Rail.

One is blocking the line between Ewell West and Epsom. Trains running between Wimbledon and Epsom may be cancelled, delayed or revised.

The other is between Farnham and Aldershot meaning the line towards London is blocked.

Details of all rail delays and cancelations here., external

The Met Office has confirmed gusts of 55mph have been recorded in Shoreham, West Sussex, in the last hour.

The Sussex port is seeing consistent winds of 40mph.

Almost 1,300 customers are without power in the Dorking area, according to UK Power Networks, external.

Josie Hannett
BBC South East reporter

As we look down onto the Port of Dover from the top of Western Heights two people watch on as waves crash against the wall on Shakespeare Beach.

It’s the kind of wind that takes your breath away, with sea spraying up onto your face.

Coming into Dover I saw less than a handful of lorries making their way into the town and just a couple of dog walkers.

Meanwhile, looking down onto the port, all ferries are being helped by two tugs to safely dock in their berth.

Charlie Rose
Reporter, BBC South East Today

The advice is to avoid travelling.

But it looks like business as usual at Gatwick's North Terminal with many people making their journey here hoping to catch their flight out of a stormy South East.

However as Storm Eunice gets closer many flights are being delayed and some arrivals have been cancelled including Aer Lingus, Turkish Airlines and EasyJet services.

Planes are still taking off but the situation is expected to get worse with many more cancellations.

Officials are advising passengers to allow plenty of time to get to the airport and to check the status of their flight with their airline.

Most of Hastings is without power, according to the borough council there.

Kevin Boorman, spokesperson for Hastings Borough Council said: "The council uses it’s computers for its phone network and they can’t make or receive calls."

More than 140 homes are without electricity in Surrey and Sussex.

Supplies are off in Forest Row near East Grinstead in West Sussex due to Storm Eunice.

There are 117 homes without power and it's expected to be back by 13:30 BST, according to UK Power Networks.

A further 14 homes in Ashington are without power until mid afternoon.

In Surrey outages are reported in parts of Farnham, West Byfleet, St Johns in Woking, the village of Tandridge, Newdigate and at Effingham.

East Sussex County Council has closed all Covid testing centres across the county due to the extreme weather.

The council has apologised and says its centres will be reopened tomorrow.

Image source, AA

The AA has warned motorists not to drive while the storm passes through the South East.

Edmund King, AA president, warned: “With the Red warning extended to London and the South East we are still urging people to only travel when absolutely essential and most people are following our advice.

"However, being cocooned in your car can lead to a false sense of security and safety.

"Some of the roads may look safe now but the impending storm can bring carnage. Fifty trees have blown down in Surrey in the last two days even before this red warning has kicked in. Fallen trees and falling debris are likely to bring a danger to life."

Image source, PA Media

Warnings have been issued for people intending to travel in the South East as Storm Eunice hits the region.

The alerts come as the Met Office issued a new red warning for wind - the highest level - to cover the South East from 10.00 GMT until 15:00.

Ferries between Dover and Calais are suspended, the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge is closed, and warnings have been issued over driving high vehicles.

A Kent transport official said driving conditions "will likely be dangerous".

Read more here.

Libraries across East Sussex will be closed today following the red weather warning for the South East.

Image source, PA Media

Storm Eunice has hit the South East causing disruption across the region.

• The Met Office has issued a new red warning for wind - the highest level - to cover London, the South East and parts of the east of England from 10:00 GMT until 15:00
• Forecasters say Eunice could be one of the worst UK storms in three decades
• Sussex Police has urged the public to avoid travelling if they can and stay at home when winds reach top speeds